Thousands of worried residents, sent away from home in the early hours and resigned to the fate that was predicted for their properties, were spared the grief their unfortunate neighbours had suffered just days ago.

News_Image_File: The Air Crane fills up at Penrith Lakes while fighting the Springwood fire in the Blue Mountains.

They had packed their bags, hand-picking their most cherished items, whatever could fit in the back of their cars, and waved goodbye to their homes, hoping and praying that when they returned their living rooms, their bedrooms, their bathrooms would not be charred ruins. That their lives would carry on uninterrupted.

News_Rich_Media: Two fires around Newcastle at emergency warning level have forced the evacuation of schools in Minmi.

The brave, exhausted heroes in their sooty yellow suits had triumphed and victory, for now, was theirs to enjoy.

The residents could return home. To homes that were still standing.

Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons chose his words carefully when faced with questions about his crews getting the upper hand, knowing there were still 73 fires burning across the state, 29 uncontained.

But, in the end, he couldn't hide his relief. It was as palpable as the relief that was sweeping en masse across the stressed shoulders of evacuated home owners.

"This is a very, very positive result,'' Mr Fitzsimmons said.

"It would be safe to head back home tonight because the risk has been averted.''

It was an extraordinary fire-fighting effort, executed in darkness while Sydney slept and carried throughout the day by diligent crews who performed countless and risky backburning operations and aerial bombardment that took the sting out of the blazes prowling across the mountains.

Springwood's monstrous fire that decimated entire neighbourhoods last Thursday continued to cause headaches for fire crews, with an emergency alert sounding late in the afternoon when embers were being strewn throughout the streets of Faulconbridge.

While spot fires at times threatened homes on the outskirts of Bilpin, the community's faith in the firefighters was well placed. Thick, white smoke and ash at times penetrated the town but the damaging flames were kept at bay during yesterday's horror weather conditions.

"The feeling with a lot of the guys up here, talking to a few of the fireys on the ground, there is a feeling of relief the wind didn't hit us as hard as predicted," NSW RFS district officer Fred Nichols said. "It has cooled right down again."

News_Image_File: Fire in the hills around Hartley Vale / Picture: John Grainger

News_Image_File: The calm before the storm ... fire fighters positioned at Minmi waiting for the front to jump the freeway / Picture: Peter LorimerNews_Image_File: Fires burning in Dudley Road, Dudley.

News_Image_File: Firefighters try to protect houses on Ocean St Dudley near Newcastle / Picture: Peter LorimerNews_Image_File: Fires burning in Dudley Road, Dudley.News_Image_File: The calm before the storm ... fire fighters positioned at Minmi waiting for the front to jump the freeway. Picture: Peter LorimerNews_Image_File: Ray Gow works as a security officer on night duty and is so exhausted he sleeps in the stifling tent being battered by gale force hot winds.News_Image_File: The fire front heads for Minmi near Newcastle.News_Image_File: Carolyn Gow with her daughters Nedean Gow and Lacey Toynton and Lacey's daughters Tempese, 3, Regan, 6, Emerson, 3, and their 2 dogs and 4 birds, in their stifling tent.

News_Image_File: The fire front heads for Minmi near Newcastle.News_Image_File: The fire front heads for Minmi near Newcastle.

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